ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 : Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) will launch master degree Information Technology course at University Grants Commission (UGC), Islamabad.

The ministry has allocated an amount of Rs11 million for the project. Under this project each year 40 students will be enrolled and the course duration will be 18 months.

A press release issued here said that the proposed degree programme was intended as a conversion course at postgraduate level, it was designed for graduates, whose first degree was in a discipline other than IT.

Graduates holding a masters’ degree in physical sciences (such as physics, electronics, maths) or an engineering degree will be considered, although some aptitude for IT will be required.

The selected candidates will be postgraduate degree holders, and will be well versed in their discipline. This programme will expose them to the developments in IT, and will also equip them with skills essential for IT development.

The successful candidates will be awarded masters’ degree in IT. The course will be conducted at Computer Training Centre (CTC) and the degree will be awarded by Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS).

Presently, no such programme is being offered in public sector. There are a number of institutions both in public and private sector that are producing MSc and Engineering degree holders. These institutions/universities will serve as feeders to the project.

CTC has been engaged in computer training and human resource development programme since 1983. In fact it is one of the pioneer institutes for computer education in Pakistan.

Many of its graduates are leading IT projects in local and international business. CTC has the IT professionals as well as necessary infrastructure for launching the proposed degree awarding programme.

The project is part of IT policy and Action Plan. The programme aims at fulfilling the huge demand of skilled IT professionals in the private sector.